What is Dental Bonding?

Almost everyone has something about their smile that they don’t like. It could be a tiny chip on a tooth, some mild discoloration, or even a gap between their front teeth. All of these problems make us hesitate to open our mouths for a full smile, and over time, these imperfections can affect confidence and self-esteem.

For decades, the primary solutions to problematic teeth were crowns and veneers. While they do improve the appearance of the smile, the high cost and long wait times made crowns or veneers an unsuitable choice for many patients.

At Tribeca Dental Care, we offer patients a third option: affordable dental bonding.

What Is Bonding?

Dental bonding uses a tooth colored resin to fill in the missing areas of your tooth, or to add additional surface area to close gaps and reshape the tooth. Because the resin attaches your existing tooth, we can complete your procedure the day of your appointment, rather than waiting for a third-party to build your crowns or veneers.

The process is so quick and painless that most patients don’t require any anesthesia. We start by abrading your tooth to roughen its surface and create pockets where the resin can take hold. Next, we apply the bonding agent to your tooth. We use a dental laser to hasten the hardening process to under an hour, then we complete the procedure by shaping and polishing your tooth to match the rest of your smile.

When Is Bonding Appropriate?

Dental bonding can repair almost any damage or small imperfections to your teeth, though there are some limits. Bonding is most commonly used to repair cosmetic damage or discoloration, either of which can cause you to be self-conscious about your smile. Through bonding, you can eliminate the small gaps between your front teeth, fill in chips or cracks, and strengthen the protection for the roots of your teeth.

You can also opt for dental bonding as a replacement for metal tooth fillings. The bonding agent will fill in the hole in your tooth, without many of the problems associated with traditional metal fillings.

Which Teeth Don’t Qualify For Bonding?

The resin used in dental bonding is strong, but there is always a risk of chipping or breakage. We prefer to use bonding on your front teeth, rather than your back teeth. Back teeth experience much higher bite pressure, which has the potential to damage the resin. We also do not recommend dental bonding as a long-term solution for teeth that have extensive damage. In those cases, a crown or veneer is a more permanent solution.

Cosmetic dentistry isn’t just for the rich and famous. New technologies and dental techniques have made common cosmetic procedures affordable for everyone, and many of the procedures are covered under your dental insurance.

At Tribeca Dental Care, we strive to help our patients look and feel their best. Kick off 2016 with a bright smile that you’ll be proud to show off, and contact us to learn more about your dental bonding and other options.

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